Censoring the press: Instagram suspends military and veteran-focused news platform

The military-focused news outlet, NEWSREP has had its Instagram account deleted with no apparent reason or explanation, this week.

According to what NEWSREP reported on its website on Friday, the only information received by the managing team was a short email that attempted at clarifying the reasons behind what happened: apparently, it is to be a permanent ban. The email read “your account has been deleted for not following our terms, you won’t be able to log into this account and no one else will be able to see it. We’re unable to restore accounts that are deleted for these types of violations.”

Instagram is a social media application intended for sharing images and videos, connecting with people, debating on interesting topics and following friends and relatives. This is not the case when it comes to veteran groups that, at least in recent times, have been targeted by Instagram and its parent company – Facebook.

The nature of the veteran groups implies military posts which sometimes contain violence or graphic imagery from various war zones around the globe. NEWSREP intention is not to promote or diffuse violence – rather cover it alongside other important topics from the rest of the world.

As reported on the website, NEWSREP doesn’t “shy from the reality, which is often as brutal and as politically incorrect as possible. The social media giants might wish to avoid what is actually happening in the world and try to fabricate a bubble of ignorance where everything inside is nice and rosy – but we won’t”.

NEWSREP has already reacted to the ban and is calling for the help of all the readers and followers to be able to continue doing its work. Unfortubately, instead of promoting alternative platforms, the organization wishes to rely, once again, on the tech giant Facebook and so there is a new Instagram account to follow – @official_newsrep. “We appreciate your confidence and support and it is because of readers like you that we keep writing and delivering the hard-hitting news we’ve built our reputation on”, reads the website.

NEWSREP is an apolitical, loyal community of people looking for unfiltered, raw news. It sets itself apart from the mainstream media and it relies on users’ interactions to function.

“What sets us apart from the Washington Posts and New York Times of the world is the fact that as a site, we are as apolitical as it gets, and we also interact with our readers — who comprise a loyal community of people who want the truth. Now, we need your help to share the new account with your friends to follow and support us”.